Spinal manipulation and relaxation device



March 4 w. H. BADGER ET AL 2,672,860

SPINAL MANIPULATION AND RELAXATION DEVICE Filed Nov. 28, 1950 3Sheets-Sheet l i L\ gm; im-Tm I3 I 79 I v mllh'k /-a fl k WW M M (IO LIm 6 "WI 7 w JIU UUUU L e W. Badger W////0m Badger INVENTORS Mardl 1954w. H. BADGER ET AL SPINAL MANIPULATION AND RELAXATION DEVICE 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 28. 1950 March 23, 1954 w. H. BADGER ET AL2,672,860

v SPINAL MANIPULATION AND RELAXATION DEVICE Filed Nov. 28. 1950 5Sheets-Sheet 3 Ze l/V. Badger 28 W////0m H. Badger INVENTORS BY fanlflswA TTORNEY Patented Mar. 23, 1954 SPINAL MANIPULATIION AND RELAXATIONDEVICE William H. Badger and Lee W. Badger, Houston, Tex.

Application November 28, 1950, Serial No. 197,927

14 Claims.

The invention relates to a massaging device and more particularly to animproved construction thereof.

One of the major disadvantages of mechanical massaging devices is thatthe construction is such that each massaging element will move apredetermined amount regardless of the weight of the patient'andregardless of the curvature of that particular portion of the body beingmassaged. Such mechanicaldevices can be reset to vary the massagingpressure, but in general, the mechanisms are complicated and requiremore time in setting the machine to each individual patient'than theactual operation of such machine for a short massaging time. I

An object of the present invention is to provide a device which isprovided with a plurality of massaging elements, each of such massagingelements being adapted to fit the natural curvature of the body of thepatient being massaged.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device which isprovided with a plurality of massaging elements, each of such massagingelements being adapted to fit the natural curvature of the body of thepatient being massaged, there being means associated with each of'themassaging elements for readily adjusting the pressure of each massagingelement exerted against the body of the patient.

Still another object of-the'invention is to provide ,in a massagingtable a plurality of hydraulically operated massaging elements which areadapted to fit the natural curvature of the patient.

Still another object of'th'e invention is to provide a massaging tablehaving a plurality of movable massaging elements thereon adapted to fitthe normal curvature of the body portion of the patient'being massaged,means to regulate the amount of pressure exerted by each of suchmassaging elements and means to stop each of the massaging elements on adown stroke or as they move away from the body of the patient justslightly below body contact. p

Still another object of the invention is to provide in a massaging tablefor massaging the spine of a patient, a plurality of independentlymovable massaging elements, means to regulate the amount of movement ofsuch elements, means to indicate which of said elements is being forcedagainst the body of the patient and. rotary valve means forautomatically operating each of the massaging elements a predeterminedmanner.

,Other and further objects and advantages of the invention willbecomemore'readily apparent from a consideration of the following drawings anddescription wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation illustrating the massaging elementspositioned on a table with a patient reclining thereagainst, and showingthe massaging elements as conforming to the natural curvature of thebody.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the form of the invention illustrated inFig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-section partly in elevation illustrating thepreferred embodiment of the operating mechanism for the movablemassaging elements and taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 lookingtoward the opposite side of the device as illustrated in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the control valve used inregulating the amount of pressure exerted by each massaging element andalso shows the rotary valve and a schematic flow diagram for supplyingfluid to one of the cylinders and pistons for moving a massagingelement.

Fig. 7 is an electrical diagram illustrating that I portion of theelectric circuit connected to a rotary switch for actuating lightindicating means to indicate which of the movable members is underpressure from the rotary valve.

Fig. 8 illustrates the housing of the rotary valve.

Fig. 9 is a view on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an elevation of the rotary valve used to discharge pressureto each of the massaging element pistons.

Fig. 11 is a section on the line I II I of Fig. 10,

more clearly illustrating the exhaust and intake ports in the rotaryvalve.

Fig. 12 is the end view taken on the line l2-l2 of Fig. 10, and showsthe discharge and intake ports of the-rotary valve in dotted line.

Fig. 13 illustrates the mechanism used to guide the movable massagingelements and to prevent their rotation on up and down strokes.

Figs. 14 and 15 illustrate modifications that the table may be providedwith any suitable covering such as rubber 4 to provide comfort for thepatient illustrated at 5 in dotted line as reclining thereon. Themovable massaging elements are and the details of construction of the.preferred embodimentof the invention are illustrated. Such mechanism maybe housed beneath the tab e 2- A Su p 9 may be secured to or positionedadjacent the bottom ID of the tableto provide a source of liquid such asoil to actuate the movable massaging elements. A prime mover suppliespower through the pulley l3 and connected belt M to a pump i5 whichdraws the fluid into the supply line at I6. A strainer I! is provided inthe sump to inhibit the entry of foreign materials with the fluid intothe supply line |6.--

As better seen in Fig. 6, the supply line I5 dischargesr-into theseparator [8 which. separates a y bubbles of air or other gas fromtheliquid to insure smooth operation of the apparatus. 1 Connected intoone endof the separator I8 is the controlvalve H! which regulates theamount of liquid pressure: delivered through the discharge line to therotary valve 2| to actuate the pistons and massaging elements connectedthereto as hereinafter described.

It seems "obvious that heavier weight people might require more pressureexerted against their body: to effect thorough massaging thereof than alighter person. To this end, a gauge22- is pro" videdin-the line 23leading fromthe separator to the controlvalve l9 wherebythe amount ofhydraulic pressure operable on the pistons toactuate themassagingelements may be regulated and determined. The line 24 from the controlvalve 19 exhausts the fluid back to the sump 9 fonreuse.

In order to better understand the operation otthemachine, Fig. 6illustrates the operating mechanism foroneof the massaging elements;

each such massaging element .is provided with a similarly constructedoperating rnechanism 'to efiect. controland actuation thereof throughthe rotary valve 2| and line .29. As-illustrated inthedraWingLthepistonSS is on a down stroke, howi ever, in order-tobetter understand the invention;.the actuationof such pistonwill bedescribed both onanup stroke and a down stroke cycle.

Fluidpassingthrough theline 29 into the mtary'valveil. is dischargedintothe annulus 25 formed between the housing 26 ofthe valve 2|.

and .the annular cut-away portion 2 !v on the rotor 28 ofzthe valve. Twoports are drilled longttudinally in the rotor 28 to discharge the liquidto-the lines ,295 leading to the control-valve 39,

Which-va-lve is provided for each. of the cylinders.

3|. Theseports are illustrated in dotted line at 32 and .33=respectively and terminate on the peripheralsurface of the rotor in theform of open.-.

ings 34 and 35. respectively, The ports 32- and 33, are. 135-=apart asillustrated more clearly in Fig-l2; It is to be noted that the rotor 28-is provideduwith a peripheral groove 31 and, 38- ex tending thereaboutand terminating at-a spaced, distance from each, side of each of theopenings 34 and 35 on the periphery of such rotor so that whenathe rotor:is rotated, only one of such ports will Cneralignedwith thedischargeline-29 lead. ing tothe operating and control valve 39,-foreachof:..the cylindersat a time.

The-groovesr31 and 38 are to'receivei'exhaust. liquid from: :thelines'29: leading-from each of" the cylinders 3| when the piston 39 is on adown stroke. Ports 40 and 4| extending through the end of the rotordischarge the fiuid from the line 29 on the down stroke of the piston 39and such fluid leaks past the end cover 42 on the housing 22 and back tothe sump 9.

The housing 26 as illustrated in Fig. 8 is providedwith eight dischargeports leading to each oftheeight control valves-3|l and cylinders 3| tooperate the massaging elements 43, 44, 45, 49, 41, 48 49 and 50. Thedischarge ports in the housing 29 ,are illustrated bythe numeral 5|, itbeing understood, of course, that each of such ports is connected to aline 29, valve 30, cylinder 3| and piston 39 -to move each of themassaging elements as'liquid is supplied through the line 29 by rotationof the rotor 28. i

The prime mover is provided with a belt 52 which is connected to thegear box 53, which in turn transmits power through the shaft 54 through:the switch .55 and rotatesttherotor: 28

in .theh0using 26m For purposes. of convenience I the weight of theperson reclining thereonsothatv oil isfiowed backthrougheach of the.seven lines- 29=to discharge-into th rooves13l and 38 back to the sump9. mother words, the openings. and

35- on the rotor and thegrooves 3'| and 38 are so arranged: that onlyone piston is receiving hydraulic pressure from theline 29 ata time.

The oil flows upwardlythrough the line 29 and into the valve 30; Itpasses .throughthe passage 58: past'the-valve '59 and-into thepassageway 60.

It' then passes :into the discharge line 6| leading to the cylinder 3 I.The-fluid thenacts upon the piston. 39 to move it upwardly-whereby. thepiston rod62" and. the-massaging element connected. thereto movesupwardly.

As soon: as the .discharge port 34 :moves past one of; the ports 5|,the-discharge port 35 is then aligned with a part5 l zwhereby the liquidpressure is exerted alternatively .onnone piston and then.

another as the openings 34 and 35 deli-ver=hydrau lic pressure to thelines 29 andnpistons'39 to moveone :massagingelement up at a time.

When the piston, moves downwardly as illustratedin Fig.16, after theport: 34-or port, 35-

whichevertisopen to theline 29,-has movedout of pressure passingengagement therewith the ,oil .wilLbe: passed-back through the line 6.|=into the passageM past the valve 62 and'back. through the line .29 intothe grooves 3'|.and-38-and back to the sump ,9. Theamountof pressurethat ,each

individual massaging element exerts against the.

spinal column of: apatient may be. regulated ,in-

dependently of the others-bysettingthe valve 59.

the proper .directiommoves .suchstem. downwardly. so that tit abutsagainst. the top of the valve 69. to close such valve: completely andinhibit the .passage ,of fiuid'to thepassage 69. vOn

the'other hand, the stem may-berotatedso that a spaceis maintainedbetween the. endof the stem i0 andthe top of the-velvet!) whereby-thecap 59mayv move upwardly against the spring 1| to pass fluid tothepassage-way. 69. Ordinarilythe spring. .1 I will. only ,beof.sufiicient tension to-insurenow ofcthefluid one. down stroke throughthe passage 8|, through passage-way 64 and to the valve 62.

The spring tension on the valve 82 maintained by the spring 72 is suchthat it just does not quite balance the weight of the piston assembly.This weight of the piston assembly can, of course, vary depending uponthe construction, and the spring tension is set to not quite balancesuch weight; because of this, the valve 62, when all fluid has beenmoved out of the cylinder due to the weight of the person againstsuchmassaging elements on the discharge or downstroke side, will trapsuflicient fluid in the cylinder 3| so as to prevent the piston frommoving all the way down to the bottom of the cylinder during any onecycle. Each element will thereby conform to the contour of the patientsspinal column since the amount of clearance between each element and thespine will be about to A; inch. If the weight of the piston assemblychanges, spring 12 can be adjusted to trap the proper amount of fluid ona downstroke. Of course, since the spring 12 does not quite balance theweight of the piston assembly, the piston 39 will eventually fall to thebottom of the cylinder when the machine is turned off and when noadditional pressure is exerted against such piston whereby the elementswill be in proper position to receive the next patient.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that anyone or all of the massagingelements can be quickly and easily taken out of operation by means ofthe stem 68, and on the other hand, if one particular part of the spineneeds more massaging or more pressure thereagainst than another part,the stem 68 allows more pressure to be exerted against the piston 39 andto effect movement of the massaging element against that portion of thespine.

In order to guide the massaging elements upwardly against the spine of apatient and to prevent such massaging elements from turning, a bracket13 is secured to the piston 82 and is arranged to slidablyengage the rod15 as illustrated in Fig. 13. This prevents rotation of the massagingelements on up and down strokes. Figs. 14 and 15 illustratemodifications, which may be utilized in lieu of the spring 12 on thedischarge side of the cylinder. In Fig. 14a spring 18 secured to abracket 11 which is, in turn, connected to the bracket 13, so that suchspring 18 will allow the pistons to move downwardly so long as pressureis exerted thereagainst by the patient, but when the weight of thepiston assembly is the only pressure exerted against the fluid beingdischarged from the cylinder 31, the spring ofisets such weight andhelps to trap the fluid in the cylinder. Fig. 15 shows a weight I8 foraccom plishing the same purpose. In order to determine which of themassaging elements is receiving pressure from the rotary valve assembly,a, plurality of control lights 19 are provided on the panel I.

Reference to Fig. '7 will explain a portion of the electrical circuitused in this invention and particularly that portion relating to thecorrelation of the light with the particular piston under pressure.

In Fig. 7 the electrical circuit is denominated generally by the numeral89. Power from any suitable source is passed through the leads 8| and 82with a switch 83 being provided to break the circuit. The rotary switch55 on shaft 54 is illlustrated in detail. This rotary switch is so ar-'ranged that'a contact will be providedtosupply 6: a source of energy tothe light 19 on the control panel 1,-depending upon which of themassaging elements is receiving fluid pressure from the hydraulicsystem.

The shaft 54 extends through the rotary switch and secured to such shaftis a non-conducting rotor .84. This rotor is provided with contacts and86 held in spaced relation by spring 9|, one of such contacts beingarranged to engage the metal plate 81 to which is secured the contact'88. When the electrical circuit is energized,

power will flow through the motor and the transformer 89 to the switch88, thereby energizing plate 81 and contact 85. Energy is transmittedfromcontact 85 by means of the conductor 99 and spring 9| to the contact88. As the shaft 54 and rotor 84 rotate, the contacts 85 and 88 move inan \arcuate path therewith. A plurality of contacts 9| extend throughthe housing 92 of the rotary switch '55 and as the contacts 85 and 8Bare rotated, the contact 86 will engage one of the contacts 9|, therebycompleting the circuit and lighting the light 19. The contacts 9| arearranged in the housing 92 of the rotary switch 55 so that when the port34 or 35 is discharging fluid to a particular cylinder, the contact 86will engage the particular contact 9| correlated with such cylinder toshow which cylinder is under fluid pressure.

It is desirable to have the massaging element '59 in up position whenthe device is turned off, and to this end, a switch 94 is providedwhereby the circuit will be energized even after the switch 83 has beenopened until the cam 95 en-.

gages the switch 94 and opens it. The cam 95 is arranged on the shaft 54and is correlated with the rotary valve so that when the port or opening34 is aligned to supply fluid pressure to the cylinder which operatesmassaging element 58, the switch 94 will be opened to stop prime moverII. This, when switch 83' has been previously opened, de-energizes thecircuit and stops the rotary valve so that massaging element 50 is in upposition.

This is advantageous in that massaging element 58 is arranged to engagethe spinal element at the base of the skull as illustrated at 95 in Fig.l, and should be in an elevated position when a patient is inclined onthe table at the beginning of the massaging treatment to fit the naturalcurvature of the spine at this point.

From the foregoing, it can be readily seen that a device is providedwhich adjusts itself to compensate for the natural curvature of apatients spine.

This is advantageous in that different persons have various types ofspinal columns which are,

deformed to various degrees. In view of the fact that each of thecylinders can be adjusted by means of the stem 66 to determine theamount of pressure exerted against the persons spine, the massagingelement connected thereto will move up depending upon the adjustment.

Generally, at the beginning of the treatment, all of the valves 59 willbe so adjusted depending upon the weight of the patient being treated.For example, if a Woman is'to be treated, the control valve I9 isadjusted so that possibly a total amount of 50 pounds pressure can beexerted against any one of the pistons 39. After setting the maincontrol valve l9, each of the independent valves 59 connected to each ofthe massaging elements can be adjusted depending upon the amount of liftdesired and the condition of that particular patient being treated.

- 'If a heavier person is to be massaged by this.

aerated machine; it may be necessary rte .increase itha pressure"operable upon the pistons v:3 9' up to, say:

100:lbs; by-;means of. the control 'valvevl9. Here" again, each of themassaging elements ca'n'ibel readily adj-uste'dto increaseordecreaseithestroke oftthe :pistons 39 and-corresponding connectedmassaging elements-to suit the particular needs: of thepatientaswdetermined by the doctor.

As a practical: matter; it has loeenufound de'- sirable :to movemassaging =e1ement 50 thezfirst: oneopened to hydrauliczpressure whenthe system is energized as'previously'described. Massag in'g. element"46 is next subjected to fluid pressure by movement of theiurotaryvalve, 4.9'-next,"45 next',: '48 next, M. next, 41* next and 43-last. Asa practical mattenithaszbeen found desirablev to have about 4 to 6cyclesper minute, so that the'stroke' of each piston consumesapproximately seconds. Of course, this can be varied vif ;de"-- sired;

The cylinders 3!, piston rod 62 and massaging elements 43 throughtil/inclusive are mounted in a frame denoted by thenumeral 99;" Anysuitable. type of supportframing may be utilized: to provide theresultsdesired.

Broadly; the invention relates .to a device'which is provided with aplurality of massaging elements, such device including a construction"for. readily adjusting the amount of pressure exerted by each of themassaging elements independently of: the pressure exertedi by theothers.

What is claimed is:

1. A massaging device, including a plurality of massagingxelem'ents,rodssecured thereto; a pissupply hydraulic pressure to said cylinders:to-

move said pistons and connected massaging .ele-.- ments, and a controlvalve secured between said:

rotary valve: and each ofxsaid' cylindersto regu-- lateth'e amount ofhydraulic pressure actingon each ofsaid pistons independently oftherpres sure acting on other pistons, said control valve including an.inlet valveto receive hydraulicpressure fromsaid rotary valve and adischarge valveto=-discharge hydraulic pressure fromrsaid cylinder, saiddischarge valve including spring means toicounterbalance the weight ofsaid piston, rod: and connected :massaging element.

3. A massaging'device' for massaging the-spinal. column of a patient,comprising a table-upon which the patient reclines, a central openingtherein occupying a region covered by the patients spinal: column,a'plurality of hydraulicallyoperated massaging elements arranged in endto end succession insaid opening mounted for reciprocating movement topoints above the table surface, motor operated means to confine thereciprocation of said elements to a fixed sequence. and manuallyoperable means to modify responseto the motor operated means to varythe'range of reciprocation of each of said elements independentlyof saidother-elements, said last means includingra valve'means to regulatetheamount of: hydraulic pressure exerted against said mas-i sage elements.

4. massaging device, including .a plurality of massaging elements,'means to move said elements, said means'including a rod secured toeachnof said-=-members, pistons on one endof each of...saidwrods, acylinder to receive each-of said-pistons, conduits to supply liquidunder pressuretosaid cylinders,:a rotary valve to regulate and supplypressure liquid from a source to one of said 'conduitszat a time,,-avalve in each of said conduits to control "the amount of liquid pressureexerted against-*each of said-pistons, said valve including checkmeans'to trap fluid in said cylinder equal to the weightuof said piston,rod, and connected massaging element.

5. In a massaging device" for massaging the spine: of a patient, aplurality of movable mas-- sage -elements, means to. move said elementsto massaging relation with the patient, said meansincluding: a hydraulicsystem r having a motor driven pump and valve to supply pressure fluidin: given sequence to said elements for their cycled reciprocation; andmeans in saidsystem to modify the delivery of pressure fluid actuat--ing .anymassageelement independently of the pressure acting on other.massage elements.

6. Adevice for massagingwthe spine of a pa-- tient, including aplurality of massaging elementsmeanstto move said elements to massagingrelation with the patient; sa-idmeansin'cluding a rodsecured toeachofsaidmembers, pistons on one end of. each of said-rods, a cylinderto receive each of said pistons,'-conduits to supply liquid underpressure to said cylinders, a rotary valve-to regulate and supplypressure liquid. from a-sourceto one of saicl conduitsata time,:a

valve in "eachfof said conduits to control theamount of liquid pressureexerted against-each of. said pistons, said valve check meansto trapliquid (in-said cylinder. equal to the weight of said piston, rod,and-connected massaging element.

7. A cmassagingzdevice, comprising; a support frame; a plurality ofmovable massage elements mounted therein, means mounted-on said frame.to reciprocate said elements, said means including a rod secured to eachof said members, pistons on each oii said: rods; a cylindertoreceiveeach-ofsaidwpistons, conduitsto -supply liquid under pressure'toeach of saidcylinders; valve:

means to..supply pressure liquid from a source to oneof said conduits ata time, valve means in each' of said conduits to control the amount of.liquid-pressure exerted from saidsupplyvalve to each of said-cylinders,and indicating means correlated with. said supply valve to-indicatewhich of. said: cylinders. isv receiving liquid. pressure fromsaidsupply control valve.

8. i A massaging. device, comprising a support frame a plurality.otmovable massage elements mounted-therein, means mounted onsaid frameto reciprocate said elements, said means including a rod secured to eachof said members, pistonsoneach of said .rods, a :cylinder to receiveeach. of said pistons conduitsto supply liquid under pressure to each ofsaid cylinders, valve means to control the total liquid pressure whichcanheexerted against each-of said pistons, valve means to'selectivelysupply pressure liquid to one of said conduits at a time, valve meansineach of saidaconduits to .control the amount ofzliquid pressure. exertedfrom said-.sup-,

plyvalve toeach of said cylinders, and -indicating means ear-relatedwith -said supply-valve to.

indicate which of said cylinders is receiving liquid pressure from saidsupply control valve.

9. In a hydraulically operated massaging device, a plurality ofhydraulically operated massaging elements, conduit means to supplypressure liquid to each of said elements and control valve meansconnected to said conduit means to regulate the pressure liquidoperating on said massaging elements, said control valve means includinga one way acting valve on the inlet side thereof to receive liquid fromsaid conduit means and a one way acting valve on the discharge sidethereof to discharge liquid into said conduit means.

10. In a hydraulically actuated massaging device, a plurality ofhydraulically actuated massaging elements, conduit means to supplypressure liquid to each of said elements; valve means to selectivelysupply pressure liquid to said conduit means and associated massagingelement, and control valve means connected to said conduit to regulatethe pressure liquid operating on each of said massaging elements, saidcontrol valve including a one way acting inlet valve to receive pressureliquid from said conduit means, and a one way acting discharge valve todischarge pressure liquid to said conduit means.

11. In a massaging device, a plurality of reciprocable massagingelements, means to hydraulically reciprocate said elements, said meansincluding a hydraulic system having a motor driven cycling valve tosupply pressure liquid to all of said elements in fixed sequence, andmanually controlled valve means in said system to regulate the pressureliquid supplied through said cycling valve to each of said massagingelements independently of the pressure acting on the other massageelements.

12. In a massaging device, a plurality of reciprocable massagingelements, means to hydraulically reciprocate said elements, said meansincluding a hydraulic system to supply pressure I0 liquid to each ofsaid elements, and valve means in said system to regulate the pressureliquid operating on each of said massaging elements independently of thepressure acting on the other massage elements, said valve including aone way acting inlet valve to supply pressure liquid to said elementsand a one way acting discharge valve to discharge pressure liquid fromsaid elements.

13. In a hydraulically actuated massaging device, a plurality ofreciprocable massaging elements having pressure liquid actuating devicesa control valve to regulate the flow of liquid to said devices insequence, another control valve between the first control valve and eachdevice comprising a one way acting inlet valve to supply liquid to thedevice and a one way acting discharge valve to discharge pressure liquidfrom the device.

14. In a massaging machine, a series of movable pads, a fluid pressureresponsive motor for operating each pad, a motor driven fluid pressuresupply valve for directing pressure fluid to the respective motors infixed sequence, and a manually controlled valve interposed between thesupply valve and each pressure responsive motor for enabling timing ofresponse of a given motor independently of the response of other motors.

WILLIAM H. BADGER. LEE W. BADGER.

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